[Diplopoda • 2026] Rhopalomeris dulcia, R. lentiginosa, R. verhoeffi, ... • Five New Species of the Pill Millipede Genus Rhopalomeris Verhoeff, 1906 (Glomerida: Glomeridae) from Thailand

Rhopalomeris dulcia, 
R. verhoeffi  

Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn,

in Sapparojpattana, Jeratthitikul, Siriwut, Srisonchai, Wesener, Sutcharit et Likhitrakarn, 2026.  

DOI: doi.org/10.1163/18759866-bja10090 

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Abstract

An integrative approach based on morphological characteristics and DNA data from the mitochondrial COI gene has revealed five new species of the pill millipede genus Rhopalomeris Verhoeff, 1906 from Thailand: Rhopalomeris muka Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov., R. lentiginosa Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov., R. dulcia Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov., R. punctata Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov., and R. verhoeffi Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov. The five new species are distinguishable from their congeners by distinctive color patterns and telopod structure. The interspecific genetic divergences between the new species and other Rhopalomeris species ranged from 7.86 to 13.71%. Intraspecific genetic divergences within these five species ranged from 0 to 4.53%, with the highest divergences found in R. carnifex and R. verhoeffi sp. nov. This is consistent with both the wide distribution range and the significant intraspecific morphological variations observed in these latter two species. Furthermore, the taxonomic scope of R. carnifex in Thailand is reviewed, and intraspecific morphological variations within R. carnifex and R. verhoeffi sp. nov. are discussed. A distribution map, morphological illustrations from SEM, and an updated key to all known Rhopalomeris species are also provided.

Keywords: DNA barcoding; Indochina; integrative taxonomy; phylogeny; systematics

Rhopalomeris dulcia sp. nov., (A, B) paratype (MUMNH-GLO188), habitus, live coloration (C–E) ♀ paratype (MUMNH-GLO188), alcohol preserved, in dorsal, ventral, and lateral views (A) unrolled in sublateral view (B) rolled in sublateral view.

(A, B) image not to scale (C–E) scale bars: 2 mm

Rhopalomeris verhoeffi sp. nov., (A, B) paratype (MUMNH-GLO201), habitus, live coloration of color morph 2 (C–E) ♀ paratype (MUMNH-GLO201), alcohol preserved specimen of color morph 2 in dorsal, ventral, and lateral views (A) unrolled in sublateral view (B) rolled in sublateral view.

(A, B) image not to scale (C–E) scale bars: 2 mm

 Rhopalomeris muka Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov.

R. lentiginosa Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov. 

 R. dulcia Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov. 

 R. punctata Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov. 

 R. verhoeffi Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov. 

Distributions of currently known Rhopalomeris species in Thailand and Myanmar

(A) Bayesian inference tree focusing on the detailed topology of Rhopalomeris carnifex (Pocock, 1889) and R. verhoeffi sp. nov., with colored drawings illustrating the color variations within each species. All millipede drawings are not to scale.
(B, C) Maps of southern Thailand showing the distributions of color morphs for (B) R. carnifex and (C) R. verhoeffi sp. nov. The different shaded colors in each pie chart represent the proportion of the corresponding color morphs in that locality.

 Pichsinee Sapparojpattana, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Warut Siriwut, Ruttapon Srisonchai, Thomas Wesener, Chirasak Sutcharit, and Natdanai Likhitrakarn. 2026. Five New Species of the Pill Millipede Genus Rhopalomeris Verhoeff, 1906 (Diplopoda, Glomerida) from Thailand. Contributions to Zoology. 95(1); 52–102. DOI: doi.org/10.1163/18759866-bja10090 [20 Feb 2026]

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***งานวิจัยใหม่: กิ้งกือกระสุนลูกกวาด 5 ชนิดใหม่ของโลกจากประเทศไทย
และการมีรูปแบบสีที่หลากหลายซึ่งพบในบางชนิด***

...

รายชื่อชนิดใหม่ดังนี้

.

1. 𝙍𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙪𝙠𝙖 Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, 2026
กิ้งกือกระสุนลูกกวาดมหิดลกาญจน์
 ค้นพบที่ มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล วิทยาเขตกาญจนบุรี อำเภอไทรโยค จังหวัดกาญจนบุรี

2. 𝙍𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙖 Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, 2026
ค้นพบที่ ตำบลท่าขนุน อำเภอทองผาภูมิ จังหวัดกาญจนบุรี

3. 𝙍𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙘𝙞𝙖 Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, 2026
ค้นพบที่ ตำบลบ้านนา อำเภอเมืองชุมพร จังหวัดชุมพร

4. 𝙍𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙖 Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, 2026
ค้นพบที่ ตำบลไร่เก่า อำเภอสามร้อยยอด จังหวัดประจวบคีรีขันธ์

5. 𝙍𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙝𝙤𝙚𝙛𝙛𝙞 Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, 2026
ตั้งชื่อเป็นเกียรติแก่ Karl Wilhelm Verhoeff ผู้ตั้งสกุลกื้งกือกระสุนลูกกวาด 𝙍𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨
ค้นพบครั้งแรกที่ น้ำตกกะทู้ อำเภอกะทู้ จังหวัดภูเก็ต และกระจายตัวหลายพื้นที่ในภาคใต้ของประเทศไทย 

[Diplopoda • 2025] Yuennanina sirindhornae • Review of the Flat Back Millipede Genus Yuennanina Attems, 1936 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae), with the Description of a New Species from Thailand

 

Yuennanina sirindhornae 

Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha, 2025

กิ้งกือตะเข็บเจ้าฟ้า  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266228

Abstract

The millipede genus Yuennanina Attems, 1936 has been known so far only from Yunnan Province, southwestern China. Currently, it comprises three species: Y. ceratogaster Attems, 1936, Y. aceratogaster Zhang & Li, 1977, and Y. petalolobodes Chang & Zhang, 1989. Herein, we describe Yuennanina sirindhornae sp. nov., from Huai Nam Dang, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand, representing the first formal record of this genus not only from Thailand, but also from entire Southeast Asia. The new species is characterized by its unique gonopodal solenophore the shape of which resembles a young fern frond with fimbriate edges. A detailed redescription of the type species, Y. ceratogaster, is provided based on a revision of type material. An updated identification key to all four presently known Yuennanina species is also provided.

Keywords: arthropod, taxonomy, key

Yuennanina sirindhornae sp. nov., ♂ holotype.
A, B.habitus, live coloration

Yuennanina sirindhornae sp. nov.

Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei Golovatch and Somsak Panha. 2025. Review of the Flat Back Millipede Genus Yuennanina Attems, 1936 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae), with the Description of a New Species from Thailand. Tropical Natural History. Supplement 8 (2025); 13-23. DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266228 [2025-10-14]

 

[Diplopoda • 2025] Rhopalomeris sirindhornae • A New Species of the Pill Millipede Genus Rhopalomeris Verhoeff, 1906 (Diplopoda: Glomerida) from Southern Thailand

 

Rhopalomeris sirindhornae 

Sapparojpattana, Jeratthitikul & Likhitrakarn, 2025 

กิ้งกือกระสุนพระรามเจ้าฟ้า  ||   Tropical Natural History. Supplement 8

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Abstract

A new species of pill millipede, Rhopalomeris sirindhornae sp. nov., is described from southern Thailand based on morphological characteristics and genetic barcoding. This species is distinguished from its congeners by light yellowish body with pale pink lateral margins on each tergum, a pair of black obtuse subtriangular patches on the dorsum, a pair of faded black dots on the lateral side of the thoracic shield, a light yellowish venter with faded light brown spots on pleurites 3–11, and a roundly triangular to spatulate syncoxital lobe of the telopod. Phylogenetic trees based on a fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene confirmed the entity of the new species and revealed a close relationship with R. carnifex and R. nigroflava. Interspecific genetic distances between R. sirindhornae sp. nov. and other Rhopalomeris species ranged from 9.97–14.36%, with the shortest distance to R. carnifex. Intraspecific genetic distances within each Rhopalomeris species ranged from 0–6.16%. A new distribution map of the presently known Rhopalomeris is also provided.

Keywords: Myriapoda, biodiversity, taxonomy, phylogeny, Indochina

Rhopalomeris sirindhornae sp. nov.
 A, B.paratypes (MUMNH–GLO189), habitus, live coloration; A.unrolled in sublateral view; B.rolled in sublateral view;
C–E.♀paratype (MUMNH–GLO189), alcohol preserved, in dorsal, ventral, and lateral views, respectively.

A, B.pictures taken without scale; C–E.scale bars: 2 mm.

Pichsinee Sapparojpattana, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul and Natdanai Likhitrakarn. 2025. A New Species of the Pill Millipede Genus Rhopalomeris Verhoeff, 1906 (Diplopoda, Glomerida) from Southern Thailand. Tropical Natural History. Supplement 8; 52-61. https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tnh/article/view/266529 [2025-10-14]

 กิ้งกือกระสุนพระรามเจ้าฟ้า Rhopalomeris sirindhornae: 

กิ้งกือกระสุนขนาดเล็ก ความยาวลำตัวประมาณ 8-11 มิลลิเมตร มีสีสันและลวดลายสวยงาม ลำตัวสีเหลืองอ่อนและบริเวณด้านข้างของลำตัวมีสีแดงอมชมพู บนแผ่นเปลือกมีลายจุดวงรีสีดำ 1 คู่ที่บริเวณหลังตั้งแต่แผ่นเปลือกที่ 3-11 และลายจุดสีดำ 1 จุดที่ด้านข้าง กึ่งกลางของส่วนท้ายแผ่นเปลือกแต่ละแผ่นมีสีเหลือง แผ่นเปลือกแรกมีลวดลายเป็นแผ่นสีน้ำตาลดำขนาดใหญ่ 1 คู่ แผ่นเปลือกที่ 2 มีลายจุดสีดำจางๆที่ด้านข้าง ท้องมีจุดสีน้ำตาลอ่อนบนแผ่นเปลือกที่ 3-11 หัวสีน้ำตาลเข้ม กิ้งกือกระสุนชนิดนี้พบบริเวณเขาหินปูนในเขตจังหวัดชุมพรและสุราษฎร์ธานีในประเทศไทย

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[Diplopoda • 2025] Orthomorpha tergoaurantia, O. efefai & O. battambangiensis • Review of the Millipede Genus Orthomorpha Bollman, 1893 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) in Cambodia, with New Records and Descriptions of Three New Species

 

Orthomorpha tergoaurantia; 
O. efefai; O. battambangiensis 

Likhitrakarn, 

in Likhitrakarn, Golovatch, Thi, Sophea, Lou, Sinovas, Jeratthitikul, Pholyotha, Siriwut, Srisonchai, Panha et Sutcharit, 2025.

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1251.158776

Abstract

The Southeast Asian millipede genus Orthomorpha Bollman, 1893 currently encompasses 59 accepted species, including three newly described from Cambodia: Orthomorpha tergoaurantia Likhitrakarn, sp. nov., Orthomorpha efefai Likhitrakarn, sp. nov., and Orthomorpha battambangiensis Likhitrakarn, sp. nov. The new species are described based on distinctive morphological traits, with particular emphasis on gonopodal features. Species descriptions are accompanied by detailed illustrations and scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of the gonopods. An updated identification key to the known Orthomorpha species from Cambodia is also provided.

Key words: Asiomorpha, catalogue, distribution, key, morphology, Orthomorphini, taxonomy

Orthomorpha tergoaurantia Likhitrakarn, sp. nov., habitus, live coloration.
A. ♂ Paratype from Phnom Cheal Pagoda; B. ♀ Paratype from Phnom Chhngok Cave Temple; C. ♂ holotype from Prasat Phnom Totong Temple.

Habitus, live coloration.
A, B. Orthomorpha efefai Likhitrakarn, sp. nov.; A. ♂ holotype; B. ♂ holotype (above) and ♀ paratype from Neang Romsay Sak Cave;
C, D. Orthomorpha battambangiensis Likhitrakarn, sp. nov.; C. ♂ paratype; D. ♂ (above), ♀ paratypes from Phnom Kdoang Sampov.

 Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei I. Golovatch, Sothearen Thi, Chhin Sophea, Vanny Lou, Pablo Sinovas, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Arthit Pholyotha, Warut Siriwut, Ruttapon Srisonchai, Somsak Panha and Chirasak Sutcharit. 2025. Review of the Millipede Genus Orthomorpha Bollman, 1893 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae) in Cambodia, with New Records and Descriptions of Three New Species. ZooKeys. 1251: 251-274. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1251.158776

[Diplopoda • 2025] Tylopus tropicalis, T namnonensis & T. khikheb • Three New Species of the Oriental Millipede Genus Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from China and Laos

Likhitrakarn, Lips, Golovatch, Jeratthitikul, Panha & Sutcharit, 2025  

 

 sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/47 

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Three new species of Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 are described, one from southwestern China, T. tropicalis Likhitrakarn, n. sp., and two from Laos, T. namnonensis Likhitrakarn, n. sp. and T. khikheb Likhitrakarn, n. sp. Keys are compiled to all nine and 15 species of Tylopus currently known to occur in China and Laos, respectively.

Keywords: Sulciferini, key, Indochina, endemism, new species

Natdanai LIKHITRAKARN, Josiane LIPS, Sergei I. GOLOVATCH, Ekgachai JERATTHITIKUL, Somsak PANHA and Chirasak SUTCHARIT. 2025. Three New Species of the Oriental Millipede Genus Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae) from China and Laos. Zoosystema. 47(5); 75-88. https://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/47  

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[Diplopoda • 2024] Zephronia chantaburiensis & Z. macula • Integrative Taxonomy reveals Two New Giant Pill-millipedes of the Genus Zephronia Gray, 1832 (Sphaerotheriida: Zephroniidae) from eastern Thailand

 

Zephronia macula Srisonchai & Wesener,

in Srisonchai, Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit et Wesener, 2024.

กิ้งกือกระสุนลายด่าง  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1212.126536

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Abstract

A large amount of material of the millipede genus Zephronia Gray, 1832 was collected during 2014–2023 from many parts of eastern Thailand. An integrative study of morphological characters and genetic data (COI gene) revealed two new species: Z. chantaburiensis Srisonchai & Wesener, sp. nov. and Z. macula Srisonchai & Wesener, sp. nov. The two new species clearly differ from other congeners by their unique characteristics, especially in their colour pattern and telopod shape. The interspecific genetic distances of the 658 bp COI gene barcoding fragment between these new species and all other species of giant pill-millipede from Thailand, Laos and Cambodia are 12.01–23.49% for Z. chantaburiensis sp. nov. and 17.93–25.13% for Z. macula sp. nov. While relationships among species remain preliminary, the phylogenetic tree shows that species of Zephronia are interspersed with species of Sphaerobelum Verhoeff, 1924 and Prionobelum Verhoeff, 1924. Phylogenetic analyses place both new species in a clade termed Zephronia s.s., which receives support also from morphological data, showing a unique position of the organ of Tömösváry. Z. macula sp. nov. appears to occur over a broad distribution whereas Z. chantaburiensis sp. nov. was found only at the type locality. Given that all known records are in the eastern part of Thailand, we thus regard both species as endemic. Morphological illustrations based on SEM micrographs and a distribution map are also provided.

Key words: Biodiversity, limestone, Myriapoda, Southeast Asia, taxonomy

Photograph of live specimens of Zephronia chantaburiensis sp. nov. and habitats
A–F paratypes (CUMZ-MYR0014) G coexisting species (Z. macula sp. nov.) H granite habitat at the type locality.

Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

 Zephronia chantaburiensis Srisonchai & Wesener, sp. nov.

  กิ้งกือกระสุนจันทบุรี ค้นพบที่วัดเขาสุกิม จ.จันทบุรี

Diagnosis: The position of the organ of Tömösváry at the brim and not inside the antennal groove (Fig. 3B) identifies this species as a member of the Zephronia s.s. species group (see Semenyuk et al. 2018), with which it also aligns genetically (Fig. 1). This small brown species (body length ca 20 mm) with short golden hair (Fig. 2A–F) differs from all other Zephronia s.s. species, except for Z. macula sp. nov. found in direct sympatry, described below, in the presence of only a single apical spine on the tarsus of legs 4–21 (2 or 3 in the other species). Midbody endotergum with one row of marginal bristles with longest bristles reaching up to posterior margin, immovable finger (process) of telopoditomere 2 on anterior telopod relatively long and slender. Similar in these respects only to Z. macula sp. nov. but differs from the latter species by the tergite coloration lacking dark or greenish-dark colour spots, the operculum of the female being more slender, the femur of the walking legs being slightly wider than long (slightly longer than wide in Z. macula sp. nov.), and the female subanal plate having a strongly concave margin. Genetically distant from other species by 18.94–26.82% p-distance in the COI barcoding fragment.

Etymology: The name is an adjective referring to the province (Chantaburi) where the type locality is located.

Photograph of live specimens of Zephronia macula sp. nov. and habitats
A–G paratypes (CUMZ-MYR00016) H habitat at Thaeo Khlong Khlung monastery (granitic rocks) I habitat at Phet Pho Thong cave (limestone).

 Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

 Zephronia macula Srisonchai & Wesener, sp. nov.

 กิ้งกือกระสุนลายด่าง 

พบได้ในหลายพื้นที่ในภาคตะวันออกของประเทศไทย

Diagnosis: The position of the organ of Tömösváry in this small Zephronia with an axe-shaped antennomere 6 identifies Z. macula sp. nov. as a member of the Zephronia s.s. species-group (Semenyuk et al. 2018). Z. macula sp. nov. differs from all other known species of the group except for the syntopic Z. chantaburiensis sp. nov., in the presence of only a single apical spine on the tarsi of legs 4–21 (at least 2 or 3 in the other Zephronia). Z. macula sp. nov. differs from Z. chantaburiensis sp. nov. by having a combination of distinct characters, viz. tergite with dark or greenish dark spots, femur of walking legs less strongly widened, slightly longer than wide (wider than long in Z. chantaburiensis sp. nov.), bristles of midbody endotergum reaching to posterior margin, operculum of female vulva not protruding and round, and immovable finger (process) of telopoditomere 2 of the anterior telopod more curved and much longer. Genetically distant from others by a p-distance of the COI barcoding fragment of 17.93–25.13%.

Etymology: The name is a noun referring to the pattern of spots on the body.

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Chirasak Sutcharit and Thomas Wesener. 2024. Integrative Taxonomy reveals Two New Giant Pill-millipedes of the Genus Zephronia Gray, 1832 from eastern Thailand (Diplopoda, Sphaerotheriida, Zephroniidae). ZooKeys. 1212: 29-64. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1212.126536

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[Diplopoda • 2024] Hyleoglomeris bomba, H. dracosphaera, H. krasoon, etc. • Six New Species of the Pill Millipede Genus Hyleoglomeris Verhoeff, 1910 (Glomerida: Glomeridae) in Thailand revealed by DNA-barcoding

 

Hyleoglomeris dracosphaera Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha,

in Likhitrakarn, Jeratthitikul, Sapparojpattana, Siriwut, Srisonchai, Jirapatrasilp, Seesamut, Poolprasert, Panha et Sutcharit, 2024.  

DOI: 10.1163/18759866-bja10062 

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Abstract

Thai species of the pill millipede genus Hyleoglomeris Verhoeff, 1910 are reviewed, and an annotated catalogue is provided. Six new species from Thailand are described and illustrated based on morphological characteristics and molecular analyses: H. dracosphaera sp. n., H. nigromaculata sp. n., H. suwannakhuhensis sp. n., H. bomba sp. n., H. tongkerdae sp. n., and H. krasoon sp. n. They are morphologically similar, yet all can be separated based on their characteristic colour patterns, telopod structures and geographic distributions. Genetic differences in the dna barcode region confirm their full species statuses, with interspecific coi p-distances ranging from 9.01% to 16.51% dissimilarity. We also propose the following new synonym: H. hongkhraiensis Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha, 2015 = H. cavicola Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha, 2015 syn. n. This is based on the low genetic divergence observed between these two taxa (2.34% coi p-distance). A new distribution map of and a key to all Hyleoglomeris species presently known to occur in Thailand are also provided.

Keywords: Hyleoglomeris; key; millipede; new species; taxonomy; Thailand

Hyleoglomeris dracosphaera Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, sp. n.

Name. To emphasize the orange body which, when rolled up into a sphere, resembles Dragon Balls, the magical artifacts in the Japanese manga and anime series Dragon Ball; adjective in feminine gender.

Hyleoglomeris nigromaculata Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, sp. n.

Name. To emphasize the dark spots on the dorsum, adjective in feminine gender.

Hyleoglomeris suwannakhuhensis Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, sp. n.

Name. To emphasize the type locality [Nong Bua Lamphu Province, Suwannakhuha District], adjective in feminine gender.

Hyleoglomeris bomba Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, sp. n.

Name. To emphasize the body coloration with contrasting black and yellow bands, resembling the typical color pattern of a bumblebee of the genus Bombus, a noun in feminine gender.

Hyleoglomeris tongkerdae Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, sp. n.

Name. To honour Assistant Professor Dr. Piyoros Tongkerd, malacologist and lecturer at the Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University, who participated in collecting many millipede specimens, including the type series of this new species.

Hyleoglomeris krasoon Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, sp. n.

Name. To emphasize the word “krasoon” from the compound word “kingkeu krasoon” which means “pill millipede” in Thai, a noun in apposition.

 

Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Pichsinee Sapparojpattana, Warut Siriwut, Ruttapon Srisonchai, Parin Jirapatrasilp, Teerapong Seesamut, Pisit Poolprasert, Somsak Panha, and Chirasak Sutcharit. 2024. Six New Species of the Pill Millipede Genus Hyleoglomeris Verhoeff, 1910 (Diplopoda, Glomerida, Glomeridae) in Thailand revealed by DNA-barcoding.  Contributions to Zoology. DOI: 10.1163/18759866-bja10062

  Researchgate.net/publication/380220558_Six_new_species_of_Hyleoglomeris_in_Thailand

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กิ้งกือกระสุนส้มดราก้อนบอลล์ 𝐻𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑒𝑟𝑎 Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, 2024 

(draco = dragon มังกร, sphaera = sphere ทรงกลม) 

ค้นพบที่ถ้ำผาท่าพล อ.เนินมะปราง จ.พิษณุโลก 

กิ้งกือกระสุนน้อยลายจุดดำ 𝐻𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑖𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑎 Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, 2024 

ค้นพบที่นอกถ้ำเวฬุวัน อ.ด่านช้าง จ.สุพรรณบุรี

กิ้งกือกระสุนน้อยสุวรรณคูหา 𝐻𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑢𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑎𝑘ℎ𝑢ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠 Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, 2024 

ค้นพบที่นอกถ้ำในวัดถ้ำภูผาธรรมสถิต อ.สุวรรณคูหา จ.หนองบัวลำภู

กิ้งกือกระสุนน้อยลายผึ้ง 𝐻𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑎 Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, 2024 

ค้นพบที่นอกถ้ำในวัดถ้ำพระผาคอก อ.เวียงชัย จ.เชียงราย

กิ้งกือกระสุนน้อยทองเกิด 𝐻𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑘𝑒𝑟𝑑𝑎𝑒 Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, 2024 

ตั้งชื่อเป็นเกียรติแด่ ผศ.ดร.ปิโยรส ทองเกิด อาจารย์จากหน่วยปฏิบัติการซิสเทแมติกส์ของสัตว์ ภาควิชาชีววิทยา คณะวิทยาศาสตร์ จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย ค้นพบที่บ้านท่าลี่ อ.แม่เมาะ จ.ลำปาง

กิ้งกือกระสุนน้อยกระสุน 𝐻𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑘𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑜𝑛 Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, 2024 

ตั้งชื่อตามคำไทย “กระสุน” ที่ใช้เรียกกิ้งกือกลุ่มนี้ ค้นพบที่วัดถ้ำน้ำผ่าผางาม อ.แม่พริก จ.ลำปาง

[Diplopoda • 2024] Glyphiulus pseudocostulifer, G. steineri & G. houaphanhensis • Integrated Taxonomy of Three New Species of Glyphiulus Gervais, 1847 (Spirostreptida: Cambalopsidae) from Laos

Glyphiulus pseudocostulifer from Oudomxay Province,
G. houaphanhensis from Houaphan Province 

Likhitrakarn, Jeratthitikul, Jirapatrasilp & Wesener, 2024

Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 72

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Abstract

 Three new species of the millipede genus Glyphiulus Gervais, 1847 are described and illustrated based on specimens collected from caves in Laos, namely G. pseudocostulifer, new species, from Oudomxay Province, G. steineri, new species, from Khammouan Province, and G. houaphanhensis, new species, from Houaphan Province. All of them belong to the javanicus-group, which share the unique structure of the first pair of legs in males and the carinotaxic formula of midbody rings. However, they differ from each other in the number of ommatidia, body colouration, the carinotaxic formula of the collum, as well as anterior and posterior gonopod structures. Mitochondrial COI sequences were used as DNA barcodes for species delineation, and were successfully obtained for two of the new species (G. pseudocostulifer, new species, and G. steineri, new species). Phylogenetic analyses revealed strong support for all examined Glyphiulus species, even for a pair of species which exhibited high morphological similarity, with mean uncorrected COI p-distances between Glyphiulus species ranging from 15–22%. Two additional Glyphiulus species are listed, but not described, as male material is lacking. One of them occurs in direct sympatry with G. houaphanhensis, new species. An identification key to the species of Glyphiulus so far recorded from Laos and a distribution map are also presented. 

Key words. millipedes, key to species, cave fauna, molecular systematics, COI

Glyphiulus pseudocostulifer, new species, male holotype (ZFMK MYR10009A).
Glyphiulus steineri, new species, male holotype (ZFMK MYR6203).
Glyphiulus houaphanhensis, new species, male holotype (ZFMK MYR10011C).

Glyphiulus pseudocostulifer, new species, male holotype (ZFMK MYR10009A).
A–C, anterior part of body, lateral, dorsal, and ventral views, respectively; D, E, midbody rings, dorsal and lateral views, respectively; F, cross-section of a midbody ring; G–I, posterior part of body, lateral, dorsal, and ventral views, respectively

Glyphiulus pseudocostulifer, new species

Etymology. To emphasise the obvious similarities to G. costulifer Golovatch, Geoffroy, Mauriès & VandenSpiegel, 2007. Noun in apposition.

Glyphiulus steineri, new species

Etymology. To honour the German collector and biospeleologist Helmut Steiner, an active explorer of the caves of Laos, noun.

Glyphiulus houaphanhensis, new species, male holotype (ZFMK MYR10011C).
A–C, anterior part of body, lateral, dorsal, and ventral views, respectively; D, E, midbody rings, dorsal and lateral views, respectively; F, cross-section of a midbody ring; G–I, posterior part of body, lateral, dorsal, and ventral views, respectively

Glyphiulus houaphanhensis, new species 

Etymology. The species is named in allusion to the type locality — Houaphan Province, adjective. 

 

 Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Parin Jirapatrasilp and Thomas Wesener. 2024. Integrated Taxonomy of Three New Species of Glyphiulus Gervais, 1847 (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida, Cambalopsidae) from Laos. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 72; 42–61.

***งานวิจัยใหม่: กิ้งกือถ้ำชนิดใหม่ของโลก 3 ชนิดจาก สปป.ลาว***

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[Diplopoda • 2023] Monographis panhai & Unixenus thailandicus • First Records of penicillate Millipedes (Polyxenidae) from Thailand, with Descriptions of Two New Species

 Monographis panhai & Unixenus thailandicus 

 Huynh, Veenstra & Likhitrakarn, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5383.4.5 

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Abstract

Two new species are described from the family Polyxenidae. Monographis panhai sp. nov. and Unixenus thailandicus sp. nov. represent the first records of their respective genera in Thailand. Monographis panhai sp. nov. shows distinct morphological differences in the arrangement of sensilla in the antennomere VI, as well as in the structures of the labrum and the claw. Collections from different areas of Thailand showed that not only is it widespread but also exhibits geographic variation in morphology. Unixenus thailandicus sp. nov. exhibits sexual dimorphism in the number of conical sensilla on the lateral palp, with 24 in males and 22 in females, differing from the typical count of 13 within the genus.

Keywords: Myriapoda, Penicillata, Polyxenidae, Monographis, Unixenus, phylogeny

Monographis panhai sp. nov. 

กิ้งกือขนปัญหา 

ค้นพบที่ อ.ปางมะผ้า จ.แม่ฮ่องสอน อ.วังน้ำเขียว จ.นครราชสีมา และ อ.เมือง จ.กระบี่

Unixenus thailandicus sp. nov. 

กิ้งกือขนประเทศไทย 

ค้นพบที่ อ.บ่อทอง จ.ชลบุรี 

 

Cuong Huynh, Anneke A. Veenstra and Natdanai Likhitrakarn. 2023. First Records of penicillate Millipedes (Diplopoda, Polyxenidae) from Thailand, with Descriptions of Two New Species.  Zootaxa. 5383(4); 514-536. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5383.4.5

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[Diplopoda • 2023] Sphaerobelum turcosa • A New Jewel-like Species of the Pill-millipede Genus Sphaerobelum Verhoeff, 1924 (Sphaerotheriida: Zephroniidae) from northeastern Thailand

 Sphaerobelum turcosa Srisonchai & Pimvichai,  

in Srisonchai, Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit, Backeljau et Pimvichai, 2023.

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1181.109076

Abstract

A new species of the giant pill millipede genus Sphaerobelum is described: Sphaerobelum turcosa sp. nov. from the northeastern part of Thailand. Species delimitation is based on morphological characters and COI sequence data. The new species can be clearly discriminated from congeners by its greenish-blue body color, the face mask-like appearance of the thoracic and anal shields jointly when rolled up, and the combination of the following four characters: (1) the coxa of the second leg laterally with a sharp and long process, (2) the tarsi of legs 4–21 with 6–7 ventral spines, (3) the anterior telopods consisting of four conspicuous telopoditomeres, and (4) the immovable, slender (not strongly humped) and distally curved finger of the posterior telopods without a membranous spot. The interspecific COI sequence divergence between the new species and other Sphaerobelum species ranges from 17% to 23% (mean 20%). The intergeneric COI sequence divergence between the new species and Zephronia species ranges from 18% to 21% (mean 20%). The relationships among Sphaerobelum and Zephronia species based on the COI sequence data were not resolved in this study. Sphaerobelum turcosa sp. nov. is restricted to limestone habitat in Loei province and is probably endemic for the Thai fauna.

Key words: Biodiversity, limestone karst, soil fauna, Southeast Asia, taxonomy

Family Zephroniidae Gray, 1843

Subfamily Zephroniinae Gray, 1843

Tribe Zephroniini Gray, 1843

Genus Sphaerobelum Verhoeff, 1924

Sphaerobelum turcosa sp. nov.
 A–C ♂ holotype D, E ♀ paratype A first left coxa with stigmatic plate B coxa of second leg with gonopore C ninth right leg D coxa and prefemur of second leg with vulva E subanal plate.

Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Habitus, live coloration.  Sphaerobelum turcosa sp. nov., ♀ paratype
 A, E sublateral views B–D enrolled, sublateral, lateral, dorsal views, respectively.

Scale bars: 5 mm.

 Sphaerobelum turcosa Srisonchai & Pimvichai, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Coxal process on leg 2 sharply projecting, tarsi of legs 4–21 with 4/5/6/7/8 ventral spines. Similar in these respects to S. lachneeis, S. schwendingeri and S. laoticum, but S. turcosa sp. nov. differs from them by the combination of several characters, viz. body yellow contrasting to dominant greenish-blue color (vs. dark green/black); mesal margin of femur with teeth (vs. without teeth); vulva board and large, covering mesal 2/3 of coxa (vs. narrower, covering mesal 1/3 or half of coxa); anterior telopod consisting of 4 conspicuous telopoditomeres (vs. 3 telopoditomeres); immovable fingers of posterior telopod slender (vs. strongly humped and swollen).

Etymology: The specific name is a Latin adjective, meaning ‘turquoise, greenish-blue mineral,’ and refers to the general body color of living specimens.

กิ้งกือกระสุนเทอร์คอยส์, กิ้งกือกระสุนสีเทอร์ควอยซ์

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Chirasak Sutcharit, Thierry Backeljau and Piyatida Pimvichai. 2023. A New Jewel-like Species of the Pill-millipede Genus Sphaerobelum Verhoeff, 1924 (Diplopoda, Sphaerotheriida, Zephroniidae) from Thailand.  ZooKeys. 1181: 41-57. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1181.109076

[Diplopoda • 2019] Antheromorpha nguyeni • A New Species and A New Record of the Southeast Asian Millipede Genus Antheromorpha Jeekel, 1968 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from Vietnam

Antheromorpha nguyeni 

Likhitrakarn, Golovatch, Semenyuk & Panha, 2019

 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.832.32596

Abstract

Antheromorpha nguyeni sp. n. is described and illustrated from Kon Ka Kinh National Park, southern Vietnam. The new species is distinguished by a peculiar colour pattern showing a uniformly black-brown body contrasting with yellow-brown paraterga and epiproct, as well as in the pointed gonopodal process being unusually short, only approximately half as long as the solenophore. In addition, an identification key to all 13 presently known species, all mapped, is given. A new record of A. festiva is provided from southern Vietnam.

Keywords: Antheromorpha, millipede, new species, Orthomorphini, taxonomy, Vietnam

 

Antheromorpha nguyeni sp. n., ♂ holotype.
A habitus, live coloration; B, C anterior part of body, dorsal and lateral views, respectively D, E segments 10 and 11, dorsal and lateral views, respectively F, G, H posterior part of body, dorsal, ventral and lateral views, respectively I, J sternal cones between coxae 4, subcaudal and sublateral views, respectively.

Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei I. Golovatch, Irina Semenyuk and Somsak Panha. 2019. A New Species and A New Record of the Southeast Asian Millipede Genus Antheromorpha Jeekel, 1968 (Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae) from Vietnam. ZooKeys. 832: 77-89.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.832.32596

[Diplopoda • 2023] Tylopus bokorensis & T. panhai • Uncovering Endemism in High Montane Forests: Two New Species of Millipede Genus Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from Cambodia and Laos

Tylopus panhai Srisonchai & Likhitrakarn,

in Srisonchai, Inkhavilay, Ngor, Sutcharit et Likhitrakarn, 2023. 

Tropical Natural History. Supplement 7 

tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNH

Abstract

Two new species of the predominantly Indochinese to southern Chinese millipedes belonging to the genus Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 are described: Tylopus bokorensis sp. nov. from southern Cambodia, and T. panhai sp. nov. from southern Laos. These species can be clearly discriminated from congeners by the shape of processes on postfemoral part of the gonopod in combination with some distinct somatic characters. Tylopus bokorensis sp. nov. is the first in this genus to be found in Cambodia. Both species inhabit montane habitats more than 1,000 m above mean sea level, and we regard them as endemic to these countries. An identification key and distribution map of Tylopus occurring in Cambodia and Laos are provided.

Keywords: biodiversity, endemic species, Southeast Asia, Sulciferini

Photographs of live specimens and habitat.
A, B. Tylopus bokorensis sp. nov. E. habitat of T. bokorensis sp. nov.
C, D. Tylopus panhai sp. nov.

Tylopus bokorensis Srisonchai and Likhitrakarn, sp. nov.

Tylopus panhai Srisonchai and Likhitrakarn, sp. nov.

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Khamla Inkhavilay, Peng Bun Ngor, Chirasak Sutcharit and Natdanai Likhitrakarn. 2023. Uncovering Endemism in High Montane Forests: Two New Species of Millipede Genus Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from Cambodia and Laos. Tropical Natural History. Supplement 7;151-164

  li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNH/article/view/258821